^6515     United  iDrotherhood   o^  leather 
^•^,.  workers   on  horse  poods 

Constitution  1910 


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UNITED  BROTHERHOOD 
OF  LEATHER  WORKERS 
O  N    H  O  R  S  E    G  O  O  D  S 


v  e  M  T  e  «E  pa  T  w 

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e  D  IT  I  O  M 


REVISI/D     AND    AMENDED 

at  Chicago  Con veotlon ,  Nov.  15-19,  1910 


D. 


m 


ORDER  or  BUSINESS 


Readinjg^  of  niluutes  of  previoUfi  ae&siou 

Report  of  Committee  on  Credentials. 

Report  of  Officers* 

Report  of  Regular  Committees. 

Report  of  Special  Committee*. 

Unfinished  Business. 

New  Butinc&s. 

Good  of  tiie  Brotherhood. 

Adjournment. 

Order  of  Btfsiaess  No.  1    to   be  dispen^eci 
Tvitli  until  called  for  by  five  delegates.    Any 
alteration  or  correction  in  minutes  of  pre 
viou»  sessioas  shall  be  made  to  the  Secretary 

in  writing. 


5. 
4. 
S. 
6. 

-7. 
8. 


H   l>  <5r^  ^^  ,  l^  ^  bar'     vou     r  >  <h  ••   c: 

r6^-.-i\LM    CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 

United  Brotherhood 

OF 

Leather  Workers 


ON 


Horse  Goods, 


ORGANIZED  JAN.  1, 1896. 


Revised  and  Amended  at  Chicago  Convention, 
November  15-19,  19lO. 


Seventeenth  Edition. 


PREAMBLE. 


AVhereas,  The  history  of  the  wage-workers 
of  this  and  all  other  countries  has  been  but 
the  record  of  constant  struggle  against  op- 
pression,  and 

Whereas,  Their  trouble  has  arisen  almost 
entirely  from  lack  of  unity  and  confidence  in 
each  other  as  workers,  and  misunderstanding 
of  true  causes  of  oppression,  and 

Whereas,  Unity,  guided  by  intelligence,  is 
a  source  of  strength  that  can  withstand  all 
attacks,  and  without  intelligent  organiza- 
tion we  cannot  acquire  the  discipline  that 
would  enable  us  to  act  together,  concentrate 
our  strength,  direct  our  efforts  toward  the 
desired  end,  and  also  acquire  the  patience 
Jthat  enables  us  to  wait  for  the  results. 

Therefore,  For  the  purpose  of  promoting 
unity  of  sentiment  and  action  among  the 
leather  workers  on  horse  goods  of  this  coun- 
try, and  joining  them  closelj'  together  for 
mutual  protection,  so  that  each  and  every 
member  of  the  several  organizations  may  be 
benefited  thereb5^  the  United  Brotherhood  of 
Leather  "Workers  on  Horse  Goods  has  been 
organized,  and  consists  of  delegates  from 
regularly  organized  societies  of  the  trade  as 
shall  endorse  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws 
contained  herein,  and  pledge  themselves  to 
use  their  utmost  efforts  to  secure  by  every 
legitimate  means  within  their  power  the 
benefits  that  will  accrue  through  intelligent 
co-operation  with  each  other  on  all  matters 
affecting  the  interests  of  the  trade. 


GENERAL  CONSTITUTION. 


United  Brotherhood  Leather  Work- 
ers on  Horse  Goods. 


ARTICLE    I. 
Title    and   Objects. 

Section  1.  This  organization  shall  be  known 
and  designated  as  the  United  Brotherhood 
of  Leather  Workers  on  Horse  Goods;  pro- 
vided, for  all  purposes  of  reference  within 
the  various  articles  and  section  of  this  con- 
stitution, and  to  facilitate  the  reading  thereof, 
the  United  Brotherhood  of  Leather  Workers 
on  Horse  Goods  shall  be  referred  to  and 
designated  as  the  United  Brotherhood  or  U.  B. 

Sec.  2.  Its  objects  shall  be  the  ameliora- 
tion of  the  condition  of  the  leather  workers. 
Their  advancement,  socially,  by  advocating  a 
closer  relationship  and  by  endeavoring  to 
bring  all  leather  workers  together  in  one 
grand  order;  morally,  by  advocating  such 
deportment  that  none  need  be  ashamed  to  be 
found  in  our  company;  and  intellectually,  by 
teaching  its  members  the  grand  principles  of 
trade   unionism,   fraternity,   etc. 

ARTICLE    II. 

W'ho   Shall    Compose  the   United  Brotherhood. 

Section  1.  The  United  Brotherhood  of 
Leather  Workers  on  Horse  Goods  shall  con- 
sist of  local  branches,  who  acknowledge  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  U.  B.  and  obey  its  laws. 
Such  local  branches  being  represented  at 
convention  by  delegates  as  provided  in  Sec- 
tion  2,  Article  III. 

ARTICLE    IIL 
Conventions. 
Seetiou    1.      The    regular    convention    of    the 
U.    B.    shall    be    held    the    second    Tuesday    in 


4  General  Constitution. 

July,  1912,  and  bi-enniaUy  thereafter,  at  such 
place  as  the  delegates  have  selected  at  the 
preceding-  convention.  Provided,  the  four  (4) 
cardinal  points  of  the  compass  and  the  geo- 
graphical center  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  shall  constitute  five  (5)  general  dis- 
tricts wherein  to  locate  convention  city. 

And  provided  further,  that  no  district  shall 
be  favored  twice  within  periods  of  ten  (10) 
years.  This,  however,  shall  not  apply  to 
special  conventions. 

Proposition  to  hold  special  convention  may 
be  made  by  the  General  Executive  Council, 
or  by  any  local  branch  upon  securing  a  second 
from  ten  local  branches. 

Sec.  2.  Basis  of  representation  shall  be  one 
(1)  delegate  for  each  local  branch  of  one 
hundred  (100)  members  or  less.  And  one  (1) 
delegate  for  each  additional  one  hundred 
(100)    members    or   majority   fraction   thereof. 

See.  3.  The  U.  B.  shall  allow  delegates 
transportation  rates  by  the  shortest  route  to 
and   from   convention. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Executive  Council  shall 
attend  all  conventions  of  the  United  Brother- 
hood, and  be  required  to  make  full  reports  at 
each  convention,  with  privilege  of  the  floor' 
but  no  voting  power.  This  shall,  however, 
not  include  the  General  President,  who  is  re- 
quired to  cast  the  deciding  vote  on  questions 
of  equal  division. 

Sec.  5.  The  General  President  shall  ap- 
point, in  the  year  when  a  convention  is  held, 
a  Committee  on  law.  Said  committee  shall 
meet  at  such  time  as  the  General  President 
may  deem  necessary  before  the  convention 
(not  to  exceed  three  (3)  days),  in  the  city  in 
which  the  convention  is  to  be  held,  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  all  resolutions  and 
amendments  presented.  All  resolutions  and 
amendments  shall  be  mailed  to  the  General 
Secretary-Treasurer     not    later     than     fifteen 


General  Constitution.  5 

("15)  days  before  date  of  convention.  The  U. 
B.  to  defray  expenses  of  the  Committee  on 
Law,  at  the  rate  of  $6.50  per  diem.  They 
shall  receive  no  pay  after  the  session  of  the 
convention  is  opened. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Officers. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  U.  B.  shall 
be  a  President,  an  Executive  Board,  com- 
posed of  five  members  and  the  General  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer. 

Sec.  2.  ,The  General  President,  five  mem- 
bers of  the  General  Executive  Board  and  the 
General  Secretary-Treasurer,  shall  constitute 
the   General  Executive  Council. 

Sec.  3.  The  geographical  center  and  the 
cardinal  points  of  the  compass  as  provided 
for  in  Art.  3,  Sec.  1,  shall  be  considered  in  the 
nomination  of  the  General  Executive  Board 
by  the  convention,  so  that  an  equal  distribu- 
tion of  the  General  Officers  can  be  secured  as 
far  as   it   is  possible. 

Sec.  4.  The  officers  of  the  U.  B.  shall  be 
subject  to  recall  by  referendum  vote  on  peti- 
tion of  twenty-five  per  cent  of  local  V^ranches. 

ARTICLE    V. 

Duties   of   Officers. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Gen- 
eral President  to  preside  at  all  meetings  of 
the  U.  B.  or  the  Executive  Council.  He  shall 
have  the  deciding  vote  on  all  questions  of 
equal  division. 

Shall  at  all  times  exercise  supervision  over 
all  officers  of  the  U.  B.,  and  shall  require  a 
faithful  performance  of  duties  on  the  part  of 
all  officers,  and  a  strict  and  business-like 
manner  of  keeping  all  accounts,  paying  out 
money   and    conducting   correspondence. 


6  General  Constitution. 

Shall  direct  the  entire  executive  work  of 
the  U.  B.,  and  shall  be  organizer  in  chief, 
with  power  to  appoint  assistant  organizers. 
who  shall  be  approved  by  the  Exeouti\e 
Council. 

Shall  have  power,  in  case  charges  are  pre- 
ferred against  any  officer,  to  suspend  such 
officer  pending  an  investigation,  and  if  nec- 
essary,  appoint  some   one   instead. 

Shall  immediately  upon  charges  being  re- 
ceived, transmit  a  full  statement  to  tlie  ac- 
cused. 

Shall  have  power  to  suspend  any  officers 
for  incompetency,  negligence  or  otlier  fail- 
ure  in   successfully   carrying   on   their   duties. 

Shall  see  that  all  bonds  for  faithful  per- 
formance of  duty  are  properly  made  and  filed 
with  him. 

Shall  approve  all  expenses,  other  than  ordi- 
nary running  expenses  of  the  International 
Office. 

Shall  designate  an  expert  accountant  to 
audit  the  books  and  accounts  of  the  General 
Secretary-Treasurer  at  the  end  of  each  fiscal 
year;  said  accountant  to  be  satisfactory  to 
tlie  bonding  company. 

Shall  see  that  all  moneys  of  the  U.  B.  are 
properly  and  safely  deposited  in  tlie  name  of 
the  General  Secretary-Treasurer  as  such,  and 
money  shall  be  drawn  from  such  uanks  only 
by  check  signed  by  the  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  and  countersigned  by  the  General 
President. 

Shall  be  required  to  furnish  a  surety  com- 
pany bond  of  not  less  than  $1,000  for  faithful 
performance  of  duty. 

Shall,  in  case  of  mismanagement  or  misap- 
propriation of  any  funds  or  property  of  the 
U.  B.,  be  empowered  to  institute  such  legal 
proceedings  as  shall  be  necessary  to  recover 
such  misappropriation,  or  to  puni5;h  the 
offender. 


General  Constitution,  7 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General 
Secretary-Treasurer  to  keep  a  true  account 
of  all  transactions  between  the  U.  B. 
and  local  branches;  shall  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  all  moneys  received  by  him;  shall 
conduct  all  his  business  correspondence  In  a 
prompt  and  systematic  manner,  keeping  files 
of  all  documents,  etc.  He  shall  publish  in 
convenient  form  the  Constitution  and  By- 
Laws;  shall  issue  all  membership  cards  with 
a  system  of  stamps,  which  shall  be  combined 
due,  traveling,  and  transfer  book;  shall  issue 
all  supplies  to  locals;  shall,  not  later  than 
the  30th  of  each  month,  furnish  to  all  local 
branches  an  itemized  statement  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  organization  for  the  preceding 
month;  shall  see  that  all  bills,  as  per  Sec- 
tion 4,  Article  XIV,  are  itemized  in  such 
report,  and  shall  pay  all  bills  drawn  on  the 
U.  B.  by  checks  countersigned  by  the 
General  President;  shall  deposit  all  money  in 
excess  of  $500  in  bank;  shall  at  the 
beginning  of  each  fiscal  year  advertise  for 
all  printing  and  supplies  for  the  fol- 
lowing year,  contract  for  the  same  to  be  let 
to  the  lowest  responsible  union  firm.  Shall 
furnish  good  and  sufficient  surety  company 
bond  in  sum  not  less  than  25  per  cent  in  ex- 
cess of  the  highest  amount  of  cash  in  his 
possession  at*  any  one  time.  He  shall  per- 
form such  other  duties  as  may  be  required 
by  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws. 

He  shall  be  the  managing  editor  of  the 
official  Journal,  and  shall  have  charge  of 
makeup,  printing  and  advertising,  and  all 
financial   affairs   pertaining   thereto. 

Sec.  3.  The  General  Executive  Council 
shall  have  general  supervision  over  all  affairs 
of  the  U.  B.  between  Conventions.  They  shall 
meet  at  the  Headquarters  of  the  U.  B.  on  the 
second  Monday  in  July  in  the  years  when  no 
regular    convention    is    held,    to    consider    all 


8  General  Constitution. 

matters    of    importance    to    the   U.    B.    and    to 
outline  a  plan  of  action  for  the  ensuing  year. 

In  case  an  emergency  should  arise,  the 
General  President  shall  have  power  to  call 
a  special  meeting  of  tlie  General  Executive 
Council. 

It  shall  he  their  duty  to  direct  and  perform 
the  legislative  work  of  the  U.  B.,  to  be  mind- 
ful of  proposed  legislation,  either  state  or 
national;  to  call  upon  the  entire  jurisdiction 
when  necessary  to  aid  them  in  their  work; 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  the   Constitution  and  B^^-Laws. 

They  shall,  iri  cases  of  emergency,  where 
no  law  exists,  use  their  best  judgment  and  at 
once  frame  a  law  and  submit  it  to  the  juris- 
diction at  large.  If  a  majority  vote  is  re- 
corded  the   measure  sliall  be  declared   a   law. 

They  shall  have  power  to  make  such  rules 
and  adopt  such  measures,  not  in  conflict  witli 
the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the  U.  B., 
as  may  seem  proper  for  the  thorough  organ- 
ization  of   the   trade. 

In  case  the  General  Executive  Council  find 
it  nece.ssary  to  enter  into  any  contract  or 
agreement  with  an  association  of  firms,  the 
Executive  Council  must  svibmit  the  contract 
or  agreement  to  the  jurisdiction  at  large,  to 
be  voted  on,  a  majority  vote  being  necessary 
to  ratify  such  contract  or  agreement. 

Any  member  of  the  General  Executive 
Council  or  any  regularly  appointed  organ- 
izer shall  have  access  to  the  accounts  of 
any  local  branch  for  examination,  when  such 
executive  officer  happens  to  reach  a  local 
branch    upon    business    under   instructions. 

In  case  of  a  grave  emergency,  the  General 
Executive  Council  shall  have  the  power  to  au- 
thorize and  direct  the  General  President  to 
suspend  any  law,  laws,  or  part  of  a  law,  for 
a  period  of  ninety  (90)  days  without  submit- 
ting the  question  whether  such  suspended 
law,  laws,  or  part  of  a  law  shall  or  shall  not 


General  Constitution.  9 

continue  to  be  a  law,  but  after  the  expira- 
tion of  ninety  (90)  days  such  suspended  law, 
laws,  or  part  of  a  law  must  again  be  declared 
In  full  force  and  effect  until  such  time  that 
an  absolute  crisis  makes  a  temporary  sus- 
pension  again  necessary. 

Sec.  5.  The  General  President  shall  be  the 
Chief  Organizer,  with  power  to  appoint 
such  assistants  as  may  be  necessary,  such 
appointments  to  be  subject  to  the  approval 
of  the  Executive  Council.  He  shall  devote  all 
possible  time  to  organizing  work,  and  shall 
perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  pro- 
vided  for   in    this   Constitution   and   By-Laws. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Assistant  Or- 
ganizer to  prepare  a  list  of  unorganized 
towns  whose  importance  would  warrant  the 
institution  of  a  local  union;  he  shall  submit 
the  same  to  the  General  President  for  his 
approval,  and,  if  approved,  shall  proceed  at 
once  upon  his  duties,  and  before  the  expira- 
tion of  his  first  duties  he  shall  have  sub- 
mitted and  have  approved  his  next  list. 

He  shall  furnish  weekly  to  the  General 
President  a  detailed  report  of  the  business 
transacted,  and  shall  make  such  recommen- 
dations as  in  his  judgment  may  be  required 
for  the  welfare  of  the  U.  B. ;  but  at  no  time 
shall  the  Organizer  devote  any  time,  assist- 
ance or  attention  to  individual  interests  or 
prospective  benefit  of  any  member. 

Should  an  emergency  arise,  by  direction  of 
the  General  President,  the  Assistant  Organ- 
izer shall  cancel  dates  previously  made  and 
proceed  at  once  as  directed.  He  shall  receive 
for  his  services  the  sum  of  $21.00  per  week, 
together  with  railroad  fare,  by  the  cheapest 
and  shortest  route,  including  Pullman  berth 
when  traveling  by  night,  and  such  other 
actual  expenses  as  have  been  itemized,  re- 
ceipted for  and  paid,  such  expenses  not  to 
exceed  $3.00  per  day  per  week.     The  same  to 


10  General  Constitution. 

be  submitted  each  week  and  approved  by  the 
Executive   Council. 

ARTICLE    VI. 
NomlBations    and    E^lection    of    Officers. 

Section  1.  All  General  Officers  shall  be 
nominated  in  open  convention,  and  the  elec- 
tion held  by  roll  call  vote  of  the  delegates. 
The  two  candidates  receiving  the  highest 
number  of  votes  for  each  of  the  several 
offices,  shall  be  the  nominees,  and  shall  be 
submitted  to  the  jurisdiction  for  a  referen- 
dum vote.  The  vote  shall  be  canvassed  by 
the  General  President  and  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer  and  a  committee  of  three,  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  nearest  locals  to 
Headquarters.  They  shall  count  and  tabulate 
the  result  of  the  vote  and  announce  the  re- 
sults in  the  official  Journal.  No  member 
shall  be  eligible  to  office,  either  general  or 
local,  who  has  been  guilty  of  defalcation  or 
otherwise  defrauding  the  U.  B. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
shall,  before  August  1st,  send  to  all  local 
branches  properly  prepared  ballots  contain- 
ing the  names  of  all  eligible  candidates 
printed  thereon,  and  in  voting,  the  member 
shall  put  a  cross  before  the  name  of  the  can- 
didates he  desires  to  vote  for,  thus: 


EZi 


And  the  candidate  receiving  the  highest 
number  of  votes  shall  be  declared  elected. 
The  local  Secretary-Treasurer  and  President 
shall  place  the  original  votes  cast,  together 
with  the  record  of  the  result,  signed  and 
sealed  in  an  envelope  provided  for  that  pur- 
pose. All  votes  must  be  cast,  and  ballots 
and  record  sheets  must  be  in  the  hands  of 
tlie  General  Secretary-Treasurer  on  or  before 
September  1st. 


General  Constitution.  11 

Sec.  3.  All  local  branches  entitled  to  dele- 
gateis  shall,  at  the  first  regular  meeting  in 
April,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  possible,  be- 
fore the  convention,  elect  delegates  from 
their  local  branch,  as  provided  for  in  Sec- 
tion 2,  Article  III,  to  represent  them  at  the 
convention,  and  shall  also  elect  an  alternate 
for  each  delegate,  who  shall  act  in  case  the 
regular  delegate  is  unable  to  serve.  The 
local  Secretary-Treasurer  shall,  within  forty- 
eight  hours  after  such  election,  forward 
name  and  address  of  delegates  and  alter- 
nates  to  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer. 

See.  4.  All  elections,  both  general  and 
local,  shall  be  by  secret  ballot  and  shall 
require  a  majority  to  elect,  except  where 
otherwise  provided  for.  The  results  of  all 
votes  cast  by  each  local  branch  for  the  nom- 
inations and  election  of  general  officers  shall 
be  published  in  the  Journal. 

ARTICLE  VII. 
Vacancies. 

Section  1.  Should  a  vacancy  occur  in  the 
office  of  General  President,  the  General  Sec- 
retary-Trea.surer  shall  immediately  call  a 
meeting  of  the  General  Executive  Council  to 
fill  the  vacancy.  Should  a  vacancy  occur  in 
the  office  of  General  Secretary-Treasurer,  the 
General  President  shall  act  as  General  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer pro  tem,  pending  the  immed- 
iate calling  of  a  meeting  of  the  General  Exe- 
cutive Council  and  the  election  of  a  successor. 
Should  a  vacancy  occur  in  the  General  Execu- 
tive Board,  the  General  President  shall  ap- 
point some  one  to  fill  the  vacancy,  subject 
to  the  approval  of  the  General  Executive 
Council. 

Sec.  2.  Any  officer  becoming  derelict  in 
his  duties,  charges  may  be  preferred  to  the 
President  against  said  officer;  the  President 
shall  notify  the  accused  within  forty-eight 
hours    of    such    charges,    also    the    Executive 


12  General  Constitution. 

Council.  The  accused  shall  be  given  twelve 
days  to  answer  such  charges.  Upon  proof 
being  produced  to  substantiate  such  charges, 
the  Executive  Council  shall  prescribe  such 
penalty  as  may  be  just,  even  to  expulsion. 
In  addition,  dishonesty,  gross  immorality, 
habitual  drunkenness  and  the  conviction  of 
a  felony,  shall  be  considered  as  just  cause 
for  expulsion.  In  case  the  President  becomes 
derelict  in  his  duties,  charges  may  be  pre- 
ferred to  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
who  shall  have  the  same  power  as  the  Presi- 
dent, and  proceed  in  the  same  manner  as 
provided  for  in  this  section. 

Sec.  3.  The  General  Executive  Council 
shall  be  a  court  of  justice,  wherein  any 
rriember  feeling  aggrieved  at  the  action  of  a 
local  branch  may  appeal;  providing,  however, 
that  when  an  appeal  is  taken,  the  appellant 
shall  notify  the  local  and'  a  copy  of  the  said 
appeal  must  be  filed  with  the  local  branch 
and  a  copy  sent  to  the  General  President. 
The  General  Executive  Council  shall  exam- 
ine all  evidence  and  render  a  decision  within 
20  days  after  the  accused  has  filed  answer  to 
charges. 

Sec.  4.  Each  local  branch  shall  have  the 
right  to  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the 
General  Executive  Council  not  later  than  30 
days  after  such  decision;  such  appeal  shall  be 
published  in  pamphlet  form  by  and  at  the 
expense  of  the  appealing  local,  and  a  copy 
sent  to  each  local  branch.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  each  local  branch  to  take  action  on 
any  appeal  at  their  next  meeting  following 
receipt  of  same  and  report  to  the  General 
Secretary-Treasurer  and  Secretary-Treasurer 
of  the  appealing  local  within  48  hours  there- 
after. If  within  30  days  after  taking  appeal, 
the  appeal  having  received  the  endorsement 
of  at  least  10  local  branches,  it  shall  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  jurisdiction  at  large  and  a  ma- 
jority vote   of  members  voting  shall   be   final. 


General  Constitution. 

Sec.  5.  No  member  shall  be  eligible  to  of- 
fice, unless  having"  been  a  member  one  year. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Organizatiou. 

Section  1.  A  local  branch  of  the  U.  B.  inay 
be  organized  by  any  number  of  leather 
workers,  not  less  than  ten,  provided  they  are 
qualified    according    to    this    Constitution. 

Sec.  'J.  Journeymen  working  on  harness, 
saddles,  collars,  horse-boots,  gig-saddles, 
rtiachine  operators  and  skilled  workmen  di- 
rectly employed  in  the  manufacture  of  sad- 
dlery or  anything  made  of  leather  or  other 
fabric  which_  a  horse  wears,  shall  be  eligible 
to  membership.  This  shall  include  manufac- 
turers who  employ  two  journeymen  or  less, 
foremen  with  less  than  four'  journeymen  and 
apprentices  having  worked  at  the  trade  for 
a  period  of  one  year.  Contractors  shall  be 
excluded,  also  foremen,  assistant  foremen, 
cutter.s,  and  journeymen  w^ho  work  in  peni- 
tentiaries or  for  lessees  of  penitentiaries. 
Any  man  who  is  competent  in  his  class  and 
can  command  the  average  rate  of  wages  in 
his  locality  shall  constitute  a  journeyman. 

Sec.  3.  The  entrance  fee  for  local  branches 
shall  be  twelve  dollars.  All  necessary  sup- 
plies  shall   be   furnished   by  the  U.    B. 

Sec.  4.  That  where  ten  members  in  good 
standing  locate  in  any  city  where  no  local 
exists,  they  shall  apply  for  a  charter,  and 
upon  receipt  of  same,  they  shall  immediately 
have  their  books  transferred  to  said  local 
and  shall  be  entitled  to  benefits  according  to 
the  age  of  their  membership.  No  fee  shall  be 
allowed  any  one  for  the  institution  of  such  a 
local  branch;  charter  and  supplies  to  be  fur- 
nished free  of  charge. 

ARTICLE   IX. 

Cards. 
Section  1.     The  U.   B.   will   furnish   members 
with    a    due    book    which    shall    be    combined 


14  General  Constitution. 

due,  traveling  and  transfer  book.  Said  due 
book  shall  be  so  constructed  as  to  admit  of 
the   foregoing   results. 

Sec.  2.  Local  dues  shall  be  paid  by  a. 
stamp  system,  provided  by  the  General  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer of  the  U.  B. 

Sec.  3.  Retiring  cards  may  be  issued  to 
foremen  who  have  four  or  more  journeymen 
under  their  charge.  Head  cutters  and  head 
machine  operators  shall  not  be  considered 
foremen.  Retiring  cards  may  be  issued  to 
members  who  accept  a  position  outside  the 
trade  or  engage  in  business  for  themselves. 
Any  member  who  accepts  a  position  at  a 
trade  or  calling  where  there  i^  a  union  of 
the  same,  must  join  said  union  or  be  sus- 
pended from  the  U.  B.  In  all  cases  where 
retiring  cards  are  issued  the  members  desir- 
ing same  must  be  paid  up  in  full  of  all  ac- 
counts against  them  to  date  of  application 
for  cards.  Upon  failing  to  deposit  said  retir- 
ing card  with  the  local  branch  in  the  city  or 
nearest  to  the  place  of  employment  within 
six  days  after  returning  to  work,  said  retir- 
ing card  shall  become  null  and  void.  The 
retiring  card  of  any  person  violating  the 
laws  or  working  against  the  interests  of  the 
U!  B.  shall  be  annulled,  which  shall  forfeit 
to  the  holder  all  rights  and  privileges 
granted   by   the   Constitution. 

Sec.  4.  Any  member  holding  a  retiring 
card  may  become  a  beneficiary  member  three 
months  after  depositing  his  retiring  card 
with  a  local  branch  of  the  U.  B.  and  pay- 
ing dues  from  the  date  of  deposit,  secur- 
ing to  him  the  standing  held  by  him  pre- 
vious to  taking  out  his  retiring  card,  pro- 
vided, said  member  has  not  been  gufity  of 
any  offense  against  the  order;  but  he  may 
become  an  active  member  upon  date  of  ele- 
positing  said  card. 

Sec.   5.     No   member   shall   be    entitled    to    a 


General  Constitution.  15 

retiring-  card  while  working  at  the  trade,  ex- 
cept as  provided  for  in  Section   3,  Article  IX.^ 

See.  6.  Any  person  working  where  no  local 
branch  Is  in  existence  may  become  a  member 
of  the  U.  B.  at  large  by  paying  two  dollars 
entrance  fee  and  the  regular  dues  as  pro- 
vided for.  Any  member  at  large  or  of  a  local 
branch,  upon  going  to  work  in  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  a  local  branch  must  deposit  his  card 
with  said  local  branch  within   six  days. 

Sec.  7.  Any  member  holding  a  retiring 
card  cannot  deposit  same  until  he  is  work- 
ing at  the  trade. 

Sec.  8.  Any  member  upon  being  trans- 
ferred, shall  be  furnished  with  a  clearance 
card  under  seal,  upon  which  shall  be  placed 
a  true  account  of  his  standing  with  the  local 
aitd  a  statement  of  all  moneys,  if  any  he  may 
owe  and  on  what  account  they  are  due,  and 
any  Indebtedness  appearing  thereon  except  U. 
B.  money  shall  be  collected  by  the  local  re- 
ceiving the  transfer,  as  per  Article  X,  Sec^ 
tion  5,  General  Constitution,  s^me  to  be  for- 
warded to  local  to  which  it  is  due. 

ARTICLE  X. 
Revenues,   Property,    Etc. 

Section  1.  The  revenues  of  the  U.  B.  shall 
be  the  per  cent  of  all  dues,  fines  and  initia- 
tion fees   of  all  local  branches  and   the  U.   B. 

Sec.  2.  The  property  of  the  V-  B.  shaTl  be 
all  moneys,  papers,  books  ©r  property,  of 
whatsoever  nature,  of  all  local  branches  of 
the  U.  B. 

Sec.  3.  Local  branches  will  remit  the  fol- 
lowing per  cent  of  gross  receipts  to  the  Gen- 
eral Secretary-Treasurer  of  the  U.  B.  each 
month. 

Local  branches  shall  remit  a  flat  rate  of 
55  per  cent  of  gross  receipts  to  the  General 
Secretary-Treasurer  of  the  U.  B.  each  month. 
Not   to    exceed    20    per   cent   of   all   per   capita 


10  General  Constitution. 

tax  received  by  Headquartei's  may  be  set 
aside  for  organizing  purposes;  sucli  fund 
shall  be  used  in  such  manner  as  the  General 
Executive   Council   shall   direct. 

Sec.  4.  Gross  receipts  shall  be  construed 
to  mean  dues  and  initiation  fees,  excepting 
where  there  is  a  local  increased  initiation 
fee,  said  locals  to  retain  all  initiation  fees  ex- 
ceeding the  regular  per  cent  of  constitutional 
fees,  as  per  Article  X,  Section  3;  and  50  per 
cent  of  all  fines  of  a  local  nature  shall  be  re- 
tained by  the  local  collecting  said  fine. 

Sec.  5.  The  local  branches  shall  in  addition 
to  the  per  cent  provided  for  in  Section  3, 
Article  X,  have  supervision  over  all  money  or 
property  other  than  gross  receipts. 

Sec.  6.  Should  a  local  branch  from  any 
cause  cease  to  work,  the  proper  officer  or 
officers  shall  be  held  responsible  by  the 
U.  B.  for  all  moneys,  books  or  other  property, 
and  it  is  their  duty  to  forward  same,  imme- 
diately, to  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
of  the  U.  B. 

ARTICLE  XI. 
Strikes  aud  Strike  Benefits. 

Section  1.  The  U.  B.  guarantees  its  moral 
and  financial  support  in  any  just  difficulty 
that  may  arise  between  its  members  and 
their  employers,  as  provided  for  in  this  Con- 
stitution   and    By-Laws. 

Sec.  2.  Strike  benefits  shall  be  $7.00  per 
week  for  married  men  with  fainilies  depend- 
ing upon  them,  and  $5.00  per  week  for  .'tingle 
men,  for  fifteen  weeks,  which  may  be  ex- 
tended by  the  General  Executive  Council,  if 
in  their  judgment  it  is  deemed  advisable. 

Sec.  3.  ^Vhen  a  local  contemplates  a  move- 
ment for  the  improvement  of  their  conditions, 
or  should  any  local  branch  make  a  demand 
for  an  increase  in  wages  or  reduction  of  the 
hour.s  of  labor,  the  local  branch  shall  hold  a 
meeting   and    notify   all   members   by   mail    to 


General  Const.itut,ion.  (17 

attend  same.  They  shall  determine  by  secret 
ballot  \yhat  action  is  necessary.  It.  shall  re- 
quire a  two-thirds  vote  of  all  members  pres- 
ent to  decide.  Shpuld  a  local  branch  decide 
to  make  a  demand,  they  shall,  fifteen  days 
previous  to  presenting  said  demand  to  their 
emploj'ers,  submit  a  copy  of  the  demands  to 
the \  General  President  and  General,  Execu- 
tive Council  of  the  U.  B.,  together,  >\'ith  all 
necessary  information  regarding  th^  condi- 
tion of  trade,  the  number  of  men  organized 
and  unorganized,  and  whether  or  not  the.  em- 
ployers are  organized. 

See.  4.  The  local  branch,  after  making,  de- 
mands and  using  every  effort  towards  a  set- 
tlement and  finding  that  a  satisfactory  settle- 
ment cannot  be  reached,  shall  at  onoe  notify 
the  General  President  by  telegraph.  If  neces- 
sary the  General  President  shall  proceed  to- 
the  place  of  controversy  and  endeavor,  in  con- 
junction with  the  local,  to  effect  a  settlement- 
Should  it  be  impossible  for  the  General  Presi- 
dent to  go,  he  shall  notify  the  e;xecutive  offi- 
cer nearest  the  scene  of  trouble,  to  proceed: 
there  at  once.  Should  executive  officer  Ije 
sent  to  the  city  and  in  his  opinion  the  strike- 
can  be  prevented  and  an  honorable  settle- 
ment secured,  he  shall  so  report  to  the  Gen- 
eral President,  who  shall  instruct  the  local 
that  they  must  endeavor  to  settle  matters 
v^ith  the  aid  of  said  officer.  If  the  local  re- 
fuses to  comply  with  the  instructions  sent 
them  and  to  consider  the  settlement  that  the 
executive  officer  believes  can  be  reached,  the 
case  shall  be  sent  in  writing  to  the  General 
President,  the  local  branch  and  executive 
officer  each  giving  their  side  of  the  case. 
Same  shall  then  be  submitted  to  a,ll  local 
branches  for  their  approval  or  disapproval, 
whether  strike  benefits   shall  be  paid   or   not. 

Sec.  5.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  of  the 
local  branch  shall,  within  three  days  after 
receiving    such    information,    call    a    meeting 


18  General  Constitution. 

and  vote  by  secret  ballot  for  or  against  such 
application  and  immediately  telegraph  the 
General  President  the  total  number  of  votes 
cast  for  and  against.  Should  the  local  branch 
be  sustained  in  their  application,  the  General 
President  shall  then  notify  them  to  call  out 
their  men  and  instruct  the  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer  to  send  each,  week  the  amount  of 
assistance  provided  for. 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  require  a  two-thirds  vote 
of  members  voting  to  approve  any  strike  ap- 
plication. The  decision  of  the  local  branches 
voting  to  be  final. 

No  local  branch  shall  call  out  their  men 
until  they  receive  instructions  from  the  Gen- 
eral  President   to   do   so. 

See.  7.  Any  local  branch  entering  into  an 
agreement,  either  strike  or  otherwise,  shall 
make  full  report  of  the  matter  to  the  General 
President,  wlio,  in  turn,  shall  report  same 
to  the  jurisdiction.  This  does  not  apply  to 
itemized    price    lists. 

See,  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  local 
branches  to  submit  to  the  General  President 
a  true  copy  of  all  communications,  price  lists 
and  agreements,  passing  between  the  local 
branch    and    firms    in    their   jurisdiction. 

See.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  local 
branches  to  correspond  with  the  General 
President  two  months  prior  to  the  expiration 
of  agreements,  giving  full  information  as  to 
the  conditions  prevailing  at  such  time.  All 
such  data  to  be  placed  on  file  at  Head- 
quarters. 

ARTICLE  XII. 
Benefits. 
Section  1.  Any  member  who  has  been  in 
good  standing  and  in  gooA  health,  and  hav- 
ing paid  dues  for  six  months,  shall  be  en- 
titled to  a  sick  benefit  of  five  dollars  per 
week,  unless  such  sickness  or  disability  is 
caused    by    his    own    immoral    conduct    or    by 


General  Constitution.  19 

the  excessive  use  of  alcoholic  beverages;  but 
all  new  members  in  good  standing  becoming 
sick  or  out  of  work  shall  be  entitled  to  out- 
of-work  stamps. 

In  all  cases  of  sickness  of  a  member,  the 
Sick  Committee  shall  have  full  charge,  they 
to  investigate  and  employ  a  physician  to 
ascertain  the  cause  of  illness  if  in  their  judg- 
ment it  is  necessary. 

No  benefit  shall  be  allowed  for  one  week's 
sickness,  but  if  a  member  is  sick  two  weeks 
or  over  continuously,  he  may  draw  $5.00  for 
the  second  week,  and  $5.00  for  each  week 
thereafter  until  he  has  drawn  benefits  for 
ten  weeks. 

No  member  shall  receive  sick  benefits  for 
more  than  ten  weeks  in  any  one  year,  said 
year  to  commence  with  beginning  of  first 
sickness. 

Any  member  who  becomes  sick  or  disabled 
shall  report,  either  in  writing  or  verbally, 
to  the  local  branch  or  Sick  Committee.  Sick- 
ness or  disability  to  be  dated  from  the  date 
on  which  he  reports  himself  sick  or  disabled. 

Any  member  failing  to  comply  with  this 
section  shall  not  be  entitled  to   benefits. 

After  a  member  has  received  ten  weeks 
sick  benefits  and  being  unable  to  go  to 
work,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  out-of-work 
stamps,  as  provided  for  in  Article  XIII,  Sec- 
tion 3,  General  Constitution.  A  member  be- 
ing unable  to  go  to  work  at  the  expiration  of 
this  extension  of  benefits  shall  be  declared 
totally  disabled;  such  member  not  wishing  to 
take  out  a  retiring  card  can,  by  paying  his 
dues  and  assessments,  be  entitled  to  the 
death  benefits  as  provided  for  in  Article  XII, 
Section  2,  General  Constitution.  But  this 
section  shall  in  no  wise  entitle  such  members 
to   any   other  benefits. 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  who  has  been  in  good 
standing  for  a  continuous  period  of  one  year 


20  General  Constitution. 

or  over,  in  case  of  death,  his  beneficiary  shall 
be  entitled  to  a  death  benefit  of  $10.00.  Three 
years  or  over,  $75.00;  four  years  or  over, 
$100.00. 

Sec.  3.  All  benefits  shall  be  paid  by  the 
U.  B.  Any  local  branch  paying  a  benefit  shall 
report  the  same  at  once  to  'the  General  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer, who  will  reimburse  the 
local  branch. 

Sec.  4.     Out-of-work  stamps  are  benefits. 

Sec.  5.  Any  member  having  been  in  bad 
standing,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  benefits 
immediately  upon  payment  of  arrears,  but 
shall  be  debarred  from  sick  and  death  bene- 
fits for  a  period  of  three  months. 

Sec.  6.  Any  member  suffering  from  a 
chronic  or  incurable  disease,  ailment  or  in- 
jurJ^  shall  not  be  entitled  to  receive  more 
than  ten  weeks'  sick  benefits  for  such 
chronic  or  incurable  disease,  ailment  or  in- 
jury. If  he  is  incapacitated  from  work  by  a 
recurrence  of  said  disease,  ailment  or  injury, 
he  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  thirteen  out- 
of-work  stamps  in  each  year  dating  from  the 
beginning  of  first  claim  for  benefits.  Local 
branches  shall  be  reimbursed  by  headquarters 
for  all  medical  fees  incurred  in  any  case 
where  there  is  a  doubt  as  to  whether  or  not 
a   member  comes   under  this  law. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 
Dues. 

Section  1.  The  dues  of  all  members,  either 
local  or  at  large,  shall  be  thirty  cent.s  per 
week,  flue  and  payable  each  Saturday,  said 
dues  to  include  subscription  to  the  otfi(;iial 
.iournal. 

Sec.  2.  Dues  commence  and  must  be  paid 
beginning  with  the  first  Saturday  following 
date  of  election. 

Sec.  3.  Local  Secretary-Treasurers  will  be 
furnished  with  out-of-work  stamps,  which 
shall  be  used    in    lieu    of    regular    due  stamps 


General  QynsLitntior.  2V. 

when  member  is  entitled  to  exemption  from 
dues,  while  being-  sick   or   out   of   work. 

A  member  shall  report  the  date  of  the 
beginning  of  his  idleness  in  person  or  by  let- 
ter, at  the  first  regular  meeting  of  his  local 
branch,  after  such  idleness  began.  And  for 
every  week  of  continuous  idleness  the  local 
Secretary-Treasurer  shall  affix  an  out-of- 
work  stamp  for  each  week's  idleness,  for  a 
period  of  not  more  than  thirteen  weeks  in  any 
one  year,  after  which  time  the  member  shall 
begin  to  pay  dues  or  take  out  a  retiring  card, 
except  in  case  of  sickness,  strike  or  lockout. 

Members  receiving  sick  benefits  shall  pay 
dues. 

Sec.  4.  Members  holding  position,  but  vol- 
untarilj'  laying  off,  shall  not  be  construed  as 
out-of-work  members,  and  shall  not  be  en- 
titled to  exemption  from  dues. 

See.  5.  In  case  of  an  emergency  the  Gen- 
eral Executive  Cotincil  shall  have  power  to 
levy  assessments  on  each  and  every  member 
of  the  U.  B.  Members  who  are  sick  "or  out  of 
work  shall  be  exempt  from  payn^ent  of  as- 
sessment. Any  member  failing  to  pay  any 
assessment  within  ten  days  after  same  be- 
comes due,  shall  be  suspended  from  member- 
ship, and  can  only  be  reinstated  upon  the 
payment  of  all  assessments  he  may  owe. 
Local  secretary-treasurers  shall  furnish  the 
General  Secretary-Treasurer  with  a  list  of  all 
members  owing  assessments. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

Salaries. 

Section  1.  The  General  President  shall  be 
alloM-ed  the  sum  of  $125  per  month,  payable 
monthly,  a,nd  he  shall  devote  his  entire  time 
and  services  to  the  organization,  and  perform 
all  other  duties  placed  upon  him  by  the  Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws,  and  whatever  else 
may  be  lawfullj'  required  of  him  by  the  Ex- 
ecutive Council. 


22  General  Constitution. 

Sec.  2.  The  salary  of  the  General  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer shall  be  $125  per  month,  pay- 
able monthly. 

The  assistant  to  the  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer  shall  receive  the  prevailing  wages 
paid  for  that  class  of  work  in  the  city  where 
such  assistant  is  engaged. 

Sec.  3.  In  case  the  Executive  Council  shall 
be  called  together  or  any  member  thereof  be 
required  to  leave  his  home,  or  be  compelled 
to  cease  his  regular  employment,  to  perform 
any  duty  of  the  U.  B.,  said  officer  shall  re- 
ceive a  salary  of  $21.00  per  week  and  $3.00 
per  day  for  expenses,  also  fare  to  and  from 
the  locality,  except  when  said  officer  is  un- 
der salary,  when  he  shall  only  be  allowed 
$3.00  per  day  for  expenses,  in  addition  to 
transportation,  providing  such  bills  are  item- 
ized. 

Any  officer  being  compelled  to  cease  his 
regular  employment  and  not  leave  his  home 
shall  receive  his  salary  onlj'-. 

ARTICLE  XV. 
Fines. 

Section  1.  Any  officer  of  the  U.  B.  failing 
to  properly  perform  the  duties  of  his  office 
may  be  fined  in  such  a  sum  as  the  Executive 
Council  may  determine,  and  may  be  suspend- 
ed or  expelled,  as  may  seem  just  to  the  Exec- 
utive Council. 

Sec.  2.  Any  local  branch  failing  to  comply 
with  this  Constitution  and  By-Laws  may  be 
suspended,  expelled  or  fined  in  such  sum  as 
may  be  provided  for;  or  in  case  no  provision 
Is  made,  in  such  sum  or  manner  as  may  seem 
proper  by  the  Executive  Council. 

Sec.  3.  Any  and  all  penalties  assessed  by  a 
local  branch  against  members  thereof  and 
not  otherwise  provided  for  In  this  Constitu- 
tion, shall  be  reported  to  the  General  Presi- 
dent within  twenty-four  hours  after  such 
penalty    is   placed    against   a   member,    proper 


O'cncrdl  C<))istitiition.  23 

record  to  be  kept  on  file  at  headquarters  after 
such  penalty  has  been  submitted  to  the  Gen- 
eral Executive  Council  and  approved;  no 
penalty  to  be  legal  unless  approved  by  the 
General  Executive  Council. 

Sec.  4.  That  any  member  of  the  U.  B. 
found  working-  at  the  trade  on  Labor  Day  be 
fined   $5.00. 

Sec.  5.  Any  officer,  sick  committee  or  local 
branch  who  shall  be  guilty  of  granting  sick 
or  death  benefits  to  members  not  constitu- 
tionally entitled  to  same,  shall  be  fined  the 
sum  of  $25  in  addition  to  the  amount  allowed, 
and  unless  said  fine  with  the  amount  allowed 
be  paid  to  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
within  30  days  said  officer,  sick  committee  or 
local  branch  shall  be  suspended. 

Sec.  6.  Any  local  branch  failing  to  comply 
with  Article  XI,  Section  9,  shall  be  fined  the 
sum  of  $10.00,  and  unless  said  Hne  be  paid 
within  thirty  days  after  being  assessed,  shall 
be  declared  in  bad  standing  for  a  period  of 
sixty  days. 

Sec.  7.  A  fine  of  not  less  than  twenty-five 
dollars  shall  be  imposed  on  any  member  of 
the  Executive  Council  and  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer  for  negligence  of  any  duty  as- 
signed in  any  article  of  this  Constitution  and 
By-Law.s. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 
Miscellaneous^. 

Section  1.  No  local  branch  can  be  dissolved 
as  long  as  there  are  five  dissenting  members. 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  visiting  a  local  branch 
on  a  traveling  card  shall  be  entitled  to  vote 
for  general  officers,  provided  said  niemtaer 
has  not  voted  in  his  home  branch.  Any 
member  found  guilty  of  voting  in  two  or 
more  branches  for  general  officers  shall  be 
expelled. 

Sec.  3.  No  member  shall  hold  two  offices 
in    which    money   accounts   are   handled. 


24  General  Constitution. 

See.  4.  The  U.  B.  shall  furnish  local 
branches  with  a  rittfal  for' initiation,   etc. 

See.  5.  One  apprentice  shall  be  allowed  in 
retail  shops  employing  two  journeymen  and 
less  than  twenty.  Retail  shops  employing 
twenty  or  more  journeymen  shall  be  gov- 
erned as  per  factory  ratio.  Factories  employ- 
ing ten  journeymen  will  be  allowed  one  ap- 
prentice; twenty  journeymen,  two  appren- 
tices; thirty,  three  apprentices;  forty,  four 
apprentices;  sixty,  five  apprentices,  and  in 
no  cable- will' more  than  five  apprentices  be  al- 
lowed" to  work  in  any  one  branch  of  the 
trade.  Each  apprentice  shall  serve  three 
years,  and  shall  be  registered  at  the  head- 
quarters of  the  U.  B.,  and  every  apprentice 
working  in  conformity  to  this  law  shall  be 
given  full  opportunity  to  become  proficient 
in  the  branch  of  the  trade  in  which  he  started 
his  apprenticeship. 

In  the  harness  cutting  branch  none  but 
competent  mechanics  in  the  making  of  har- 
ness will  be  permitted,  and  shall  not  be  con- 
strued as  apprentices,  but  journeymen  under 
instructions..  The  above  to  apply  in  any 
other  cutting  branch  of  the  business. 

Piece  hands  shall  not  be  allowed  to  work 
any  help  of  any  kln^  (either;  apprentices  or 
assistants). 

See.  6.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  brother 
leather  worker  to  enter  and  take  work  in  any 
city  or  town  where  there  is  a  strike  or  lock- 
out prevailing,  unless  it  be  with  the  knowl- 
edge and  consent  of  the  local  in  said  city  or 
town,  which  consent  shall  be  obtained  by 
two-thirds  Vote  of  members  present,  and 
shall  be  evidenced  by  resolution  of  said  local 
under  signature  and  seal  of  proper  officers  of 
said  local.  The  penalty  for  the  violation  of 
this  law  shall  be  a  fine  of  fifty  ($50.00)  dol- 
lars,    which,     if    not    paid,     and    the     brother 


General  Constitution.  25 

should  continue  to  work,  he  shall  be  sus- 
pended from  the  U.  B.  until  said  fine  is  paid. 
Sec.  7.  An  official  publication,  kno;wn  as 
the  Leather  Workers'  Journal,  shall  be  pub- 
lished by  the  \j.  B.  and  shall  appear  for  dis- 
tribution by  local  branches  among  all  mem- 
bers of  the  U.  B.  on  or  about  the  first  day  of 
each  month.  The  management  of  this  offi- 
cial jotirnal  shall  be  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  General  Secretary-Treasurer,  subject  to 
iustrvictions  of  the  General  Executive  Council. 

Sec.  S.  A  m.ember  of  one  branch  of  the 
craft  shall  not  be  permitted  to  accept  em- 
ployment at  another  branch  of  the  craft  un- 
less it  is  known  or.  proven  that  such  member 
has  qualified  as  a  journeyman  in  serving  the 
general  recognized  period  of  apprenticeship 
<>f  such  branch  of  the  craft,  or  it  is  otherwise 
c'etermined,  upon  proper  consideration  and 
action  of  the  local  branch,  where  such  mem- 
ber holds  membership,  that  he  is  qualified 
as  a  Journeyman  of  such  branch;  and  does 
by  reason  thereof  receive  the  established  rate 
of  wages  of  the  local  branch. 

See.  9.  All  local  branches  shall  affiliate 
with  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  Cen- 
tral Bodies  in  their  respective  cities,  and 
shall  also  affiliate  with  the  American  Fed- 
eration of  Labor  State  Federations  in  their 
respective   states. 

Article  xvii. 

Fiscal  Year. 

Seotiou  1.  The  fiscal  year  of  the:  Uv  B. 
shall  commence  on  the  first  day  of  July  and 
end.  on  the  30th  daj^  of  June  in  each  year. 

Sec.  2.  The  term  of  all  officers  shall  com- 
mence October  1st  or  as  soon  thereafter  as 
qualified,  and  continue  to  the  close  of  their 
term  or  until  their  successors  are  elected  and 
qualified. 


26  General  Constitution. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 
Badges. 

Section  1.  The  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
of  the  U.  B.  shall  supply  local  branches  or 
individual  members,  upon  application,  with  a 
badge  of  tlie  design  and  &?tyle  adopted;  the 
member  to  whom  the  badge  is  issued  to  pay 
for  same  and  such  badge  to  be  his  personal 
property. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Secretary-Treasurer  of 
the  U.  B.  to  furnish  such  badges  at  a  profit 
not  to  exceed  10  per  cent. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 
Union  Stamp. 

Section  1.  The  trade  stamp,  union  stamp 
or  label  of  the  U.  B.  shall  be  as  follows: 


This  "Union  Stamp"  shall  be  so  constructed 
of  steel  that  a  lasting  impression  can  be 
stamped  on  leather  horse  goods  made  exclu- 
sively by  members  of  the  U.  B.  Local 
branches  shall  pay  for  their  own  stamps  and 
same  to  be  furnished  by  headquarters  at 
cost  price. 

Sec.  2.  Any  f^hop  or  factory  desiring  the 
use  of  the  union  stamp  or  card  shall  apply 
to  the  local  branch  in  the  city  or  town  where 
the  shop  or  factory  is  located.  Should  there 
be  no  local  branch  in  the  city  where  an  ap- 
plication for  stamp  or  card  is  received,  they 
shall  apply  to  the  nearest  local  branch  for 
the   same. 


General  Constitution.  27 

The  union  stamp  and  card  may  be  granted 
upon  the  request  of  members  employed  in 
any  municipal,  state  or  government  shop, 
providing  that  none  but  U.  B.  men  are  em- 
ployed. 

Sec.  3.  In  shops  where  the  union  stamp 
and  card  are  in  use,  the  same  shall  be  in 
charge  of  the  shop  steward.  Said  shop  stew- 
ard to  be  appointed  by  the  local  president. 
In  case  the  steward  leaves  the  employment 
of  the  Arm  where  he  has  charge  of  the  stamp 
and  card,  he  shall  immediately  transfer  said 
stamp  and  card  to  his  successor,  who  shall 
be  appointed  temporarily  by  the  local  pres- 
ident. 

At  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  local 
branch,  the  president  shall  appoint  officially 
a  steward  for  the  shop,  who  shall  have 
charge  of  the  stamp  and  card. 

Sec.  4.  All  union  stamps  and  cards  in  use 
in  any  shop  or  factory  must  remain  the  prop- 
erty of  the  local  branch.  Said  stamp  or  card 
to  be  taken  up  at  any  time  the  local  branch 
so  desires. 

Sec.  5.  No  shop  or  factory  shall  be  en- 
titled to  the  use  of  the  vmion  stamp  or  card 
of  the  U.  B.  unless  a  signed  agreement  exists 
between  the  local  branch  and  the  firm,  except 
as  provided  for  in  Article  XIX,  Section  2, 
Paragraph  2. 

ARTICLE  XX. 
Committees. 

Section  1.  The  President  shall  appoint  all 
committees,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  the 
U.  B. 

Sec.  3.  The  President  shall  immediately 
after  roll  call  appoint  the  following  standing 
committees,  unless  otherwise  provided  for. 
and  such  other  committees  as  he  may  deem 
advisable: 

Committee  on  Credentials,  three  members. 

Committee  on  Laws,    five   members. 


28  General  Constitution. 

Committee  on  Resolutions,  fiVe  members. 

Committee  on  President's  Report,  five  mem- 
bers. 

Committee  on  Executive  Council's,  with 
General  Secretary-Treasurer's  Report,  five 
members. 

Committee  on  Mileage,    five    members. 

Committee  ori  Press,    three "  members. 

Committee  on  Rules,    threemembers. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 
Power  to  Amend. 

Section  1.  All  laws  or  parts  of  laws  in  con- 
flict with  this  are  hereby  repealed.  This  to 
be  the  only  Constitution  governing  the  U.   B. 

Sec.  2.  Amendments  may  be  made  to  this 
Constitution  in  regular  Convention,  or  any 
local  branch  may  at  any  time  in  the  month  of 
May  submit  such  amendments  to  the  general 
or  local  constitution  as  may  seem  proper  to 
them,  said  amendments  to  be  submitted  to 
the  General  President  and  a  copy  of  same 
sent  to   the   General   Secretary-Treasurer. 

The  General  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  pre- 
sent all  amendments,  attested  to  by  tlie  Gen- 
eral President,  to  the  Executive  Council  at 
each  annual  meeting. 

The  Executive  Council  shall  arrange  all 
amendments  so  they  do  not  conflict  with  each 
other,  and  where  two  or-,  more  amendments 
are  offered  which  cover  the  same  ground, 
shall  cause  all  of  them  to 'harmonize  into  one, 
and  shall  submit  them  to  the  jurisdiction  at 
large  to  be  voted  upon.  If  a  ma.iority  vote 
of  members  voting  be  recorded  in  favor  of 
any  amendment  the  same  shall  be  declared  a 
law. 

All  amendments  after  being  arranged  by 
the  Executive  Council  shall  be  submitted  by 
the  General  Secretary-Treasurer  to  the  locals, 
not  later  than  August  1st,  and  in  such 
form  as   will   show   the   old  and   new   law,   In 


General  Const ihUion.  59 

order  that  the  members  may  vote  intelligently 
on  same. 

All  local  branches'  may,  not  later  than  the 
30th  of  August,  call  a  special  iTieeting  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  and  voting  on  the 
amendments,  and  no  other  business  shall  be 
transacted  at  said,  meeting;  all  voting  shall 
be  by  rising  vote. 

All  amendments  receiving  the  necessary 
majority  vote  shall  become  law  on  the  15th 
day  of  October;  the  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer  shall  issue  revised  Constitutions 
and  have  same  in  the  hands  of  the  local  Sec- 
retary-Treasurers .on  or  before  that  date. 


RESOLUTIONS. 


1.  Resolved,  That  $4.00  per  day  sliall  con- 
stitute a  minimum  wage  for  all  journeymen 
in  all  branches  of  the  trade,  for  a  week  of 
not   more   than    48    hours. 

That  $5.00  per  day  shall  constitute  a  mini- 
mum wage  for  head  machine  operator/^,  head 
cutters  and  head  men  in  any  other  depart- 
ment, for  a  week  of  not  more  than  48  hours. 

2.  Re.solved,  That  we  favor:  the  formation 
of  a  woman's  auxiliary  to  the  IT.  B.,  to  be 
composed  of  the  female  relatives  by  blood 
and  marriage  of  all  members. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  $10.00  be  al- 
lowed to  any  pne  organizing  a  local,  pro- 
vided such  person  is  not  an  executive  officer 
or  organizer  under  pay  from  headquarters, 
the   fee   to   be   paid   to   organizer   at   the   time 


30  General  Constitution. 

the  said  local  pays  their  first  per  capita  tax 
to  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer,  which 
per  capita  tax  is  due  and  payable  one  month 
after    local    branch    is    chartered. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  U.  B.  indorse  all  ef- 
forts tending  to  the  abolition  of  convict,  team 
and  child  labor. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  U.  B.  so  change  the 
obligation  taken  by  persons  becoming  mem- 
bers as  to  obligate  them  as  union  members 
to  purchase  those  goods  bearing  the  union 
label,   so  far  as   the  same  can   be   done. 

a.  Resolved.  That  the  Sixth  convention  of 
the  U.  B.  make  an  earnest  appeal  to  all  local 
officers  and  members  of  our  organization  to 
carry  out  the  spirit  and  purpose  of  Resolu- 
tion No.  5  of  our  Constitution;  and  be  it 
further 

b.  Resolved,  That  all  members  of  the  U.  B. 
do  all  in  their  power  to  secure  the  union 
label  on  every  article  they  might  purchase 
and  to  educate  their  wives  and  families  to 
do  the  same. 

6.  Resolved,  That  all  blacking,  creasing 
and  rubbing  up  of  harness  and  saddle  parts 
to  be  done  by  leather  workers  on  horse  goods; 
that  all  gumming  and  putting  together  of  all 
harness,  the  trimming  of  all  gig  saddles  and 
parts,  the  dicing  out  and  finishing  all  har- 
ness and  saddle  parts  to  be  done  by  journey- 
men leather  workers  on  horse  goods. 

5.  Resolved,  That  this  general  convention 
C'jrdemns  the  system  of  convict  contract  labor 
which  places  the  articles  manufactured  by 
convicts  in  competition  with  the  production 
of  honest  labor;  and  that  the  locals  through- 
out the  United  States  and  Canada  are  hereby 
instructed  to  use  all  honorable  efforts  to  have 
convict  labor  abolished,  and  that  we  instruct 
the  General  Executive  Board  to  aid  and  assist 
in    the   movement   to   abolish   convict   labor. 


General  Constitution.  31 

8..  Resolved,  That  each  local  branch  shall 
allow  each  delegate  elected,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  attend  conventions,  a  hotel  fee  of 
three  dollars  ($3.00)  per  day  for  every  day 
convention  is  in  session,  and  for  one  day  be- 
fore convention  convenes,  and  for  one  day 
after    close    of   convention. 

9.  Resolved,  That  the  U.  B.,  in  convention 
assembled,  do  indorse  and  recommend  to  all 
its  local  branches  such  action  as  will  tend  to 
bring  about  the  initiative  and  the  referendum 
in  our  national,  state  and  local  governments. 

The  Committee  on  Laws  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing recommendation  to  the  convention, 
and  recommended  that  the  delegates,  as  soon 
as  they  return  home,  try  and  have  their 
locals  carry  out  the  suggestion  contained 
therein: 

W^hereas,  "\A'e  have  learned  from  past  ex- 
perience that  in  order  to  conduct  our  affairs 
in  a  more  business-like  manner,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  carry  on  our  affairs  in  a  manner  that 
they    may    not    become    too    public,    therefore 

Be  It  Resolved,  That  each  local  branch 
elect  an  advisory  board  of  three  members  in 
local  branches  of  less  than  seventy-five  mem- 
bers, and  five  members  in  larger  local 
branches. 

The  advi-ory  board  shall  have  supervision 
over  all  business  of  ihe  local  branch  between 
meetings,  and  shall  exercise  their  best  judg- 
ment over  all  matters  of  importance,  they  to 
report  to  the  local  branch,  however,  as  soon 
as  any  proposition  is  advanced  far  enough  to 
acquaint  the  membership  without  liindering 
its  progress. 

11.  Re.^o'ved,  That  the  lerin  of  office  of 
a'l  execulire  officers  shall  be  two  years,  be- 
ginning  with   October.    19"' 2. 

IS.  Resolved.  That  as  the  new  law  with 
regard     to     the     election     of     general     officers 


32  General  ConsHtution. 

does  not  become  operative  until  the  regular 
convention  in  1912,  we  therefore  recommend 
that  the  election  of  general  officers  in  1911 
be  held   under  the  old  law;    be  it  further 

13.  Resolved,  That  the  general  executive 
officers  elected  in  1911  shall  hold  office  until 
October  1,  1912,  or  until  their  successors  are 
elected  and  qualified;  be   it  further 

14.  Resolved,  That  the  books  of  the  Gen- 
eral Secreta*ry-Treasurer  shall  be  audited  in 
1911  by  an  expert  accountant,  as  provided  for 
by  this  convention. 

15.  Resolved,  That  this  Constitution  as 
amended  shall  be  in  full  force  and  effect,  be- 
ginning January  1,  1911,  unless  where  other- 
wise   provided. 

IG.  Resolved,  That  this  convention  go  on 
record  as  endorsing  the  principle  of  co-opera- 
tion. However,  the  U.  B.  shall  not  engage  in 
co-operative  manufacturing. 

17.  Resolved,  That  we  stand  for  the  abol- 
ishing of  piece  work. 

MOTIONS. 

Moved  by  Delegate  Baker,  seconded  by 
Rampenthal,  that  the  General  Executive 
Council  be  given  power  to  remit  all  fines 
and  reinstate  all  members  with  their  old 
book  numbers  upon  payment  of  all  arrear- 
ages in  dues,  when  in  their  judgment  they 
believe  it  to  be  the  best  policy  to  pursue  in 
the  interest  of  thorough  organization.  This 
pertains  only  with  reference  to  the  general 
demand,   March,   1910. 

On  motion  the  General  President  was  em- 
powered to  secure  legal  advice  whenever 
necessary. 


CONSTITUTION 


OF 


LOCAL  BRANCHES. 


CONSTITUTION. 


Local  Branches  United  Brotherhood 

of  Leather  Workers   on 

Horse  Goods. 


ARTICLE   I. 
Title   and  Objects. 

Section   1.      This    branch   shall   be   known   as 

Local    Branch    No.    ,    United    Brotherhood 

of  Leather  Workers  on   Horse  Goods. 

Sec.   2.      All    acts    shall    be    In    the    name    of 

Local    Branch    No.    ,    United    Brotherhood 

of  Leather  Workers  on  Horse  Goods. 

Sec.  3.  The  objects  of  this  branch  shall  be 
to  establish  and  maintain  a  fair  rate  of 
wages;  the  encouragement  of  good  work- 
men; the  elevation  of  its  members  socially, 
morally  and  intellectually;  the  care  of  the 
sick;  the  burial  of  deceased  members,  and 
closer  relationship  between  its  members  and 
their  employers,  in  order  that  a  just  and 
equitable  adjustment  of  all  differences  may 
be  obtained,  and  that  all  may  work  in  har- 
mony. 

ARTICLE   IL 

Officers. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  local  branch 
shall  be  a  President,  Vice  President.  Record- 
ing Secretary,  Secretary-Treasurer.  Marshal. 
Chaplain.  Guard,  Local  Organizer,  Corre- 
spondent for  .Journal,  Shop  Collector  for  each 
shop,  and  an  Executive  Board  of  three 
members. 


36  Constitution  of  Local  Branches. 

ARTICLE   III. 

Elections  and  Installations. 

Section  1.  The  President,  Vice  President, 
Recording  Secretary,  Secretary-Treasurer, 
Marshal,  Chaplain,  Guard,  Local.  Organizer, 
Journal  Correspondent,  and  the  Executive 
Board  shall  be  elected  by  secret  ballot;  the 
others  shall  be  appointed  as  hereinafter  pro- 
vided. 

Sec.  2.  All  elective  officers  shall  be  nom- 
inated at  the  first  regular  meeting  in  June 
and  December,  and  shall  be  elected  at  the  last 
regular  meeting  in  June  and  December,  or 
as  soon  thereafter  as  possible,  and  installed 
the  first  meeting  In  July  and  January,  except 
the  office  of  Secretary-Treasurer,  which  shall 
be  filled  by  election  at  the  December  elec- 
tions, for  a  term  of  one  year.  All  appointive 
officers  shall  be  appointed  the  first  meeting 
in  July  and  January,  and  installed  at  the 
same  meeting,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  pos- 
sible; and  shall  hold  office  six  months,  or 
until  their  successors  are  elected  and  in- 
stalled. 

Sec.  3.  Should  any  office  from  any  cause 
become  vacant,  an  election  shall  be  entered 
into  at  the  earliest  moment.  Installation  may 
be  performed  at  the  same  meeting. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Duties  of  Officers. 
Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
President  to  preside  at  all  meetings,  enforce 
order  and  strict  obedience  to  the  Constitution 
and  By-Laws,  countersign  all  orders  on  the 
I'reasurer,  appoint  all  officers  and  commit- 
tees, unless  otherwise  provided  for,  fill  all 
vacancies  not  provided  for.  sign  all  applica- 
tions for  cards,  if  applicant  is  entitled  to 
same;  shall  satisfy  himself  that  all  present 
are    entitled    to    admission;    he    shall    have    a 


Consittution  oj  Local  Branches.  37 

vote  in  the  election  of  General  and  Local  Of- 
ficers, and  for  delegates,  and  on  matters  sub- 
mitted for  general  referendum  vote;  but  on 
questions  of  a  local  nature,  he  shall  only  have 
the  deciding  vote,  no  matter  how  vote  Is 
taken;  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as 
may  be  required  of  him  by  the  Constitution, 
By-Laws  and  the  local  branch. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Vice 
President  to  attend  all  meetings.  In  the  ab- 
.sence  of  the  President  or  in  case  of  his  death, 
resignation  or  removal  from  office,  he  shall 
preside  and  perform  all  duties  of  the  Presi- 
dent. 

Sec.  3.  It  sh&ll  be  the  duty  of  the  Record- 
ing. Secretary  to  keep  a,  correct  record  of  the 
business  transacted  at  each  meeting;  publish 
calls  for  regular  and  special  meetings;  notify 
candidates  for  admission  into  the  local  branch 
of  their  election;  furnish  officers  and  commit- 
tees with  a  copy  of  all  resolutions  referred 
to  them;  draw  all  orders  on  the  Treasurer; 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  re- 
quired of  him  by  the  Constitution,  By-Laws 
and  the  local  branch. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer to  keep  a  true  record  of  all 
financial  transactions  between  the  local 
branch  and  its  members;  the  local  branch 
and  the  U.  B.,  and  of  any  nature  what- 
ever; shall  re'ceive  and  answer  all  cor- 
respondence; shall  have  charge  of  the  seal 
and  all  property  of  the  local  branch;  shall 
make  all  remittances  to  the*  General  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer; shall  grant  all  applications 
for  cards,  if  the  applicant  is  entitled  to  re- 
ceive them;  shall  notify  persons  about  to  be- 
come in  arrears,  stating  penalty;  shall,  at  the 
expiration  of  each  quarter,  make  a  report  in 
detail,  showing  the  condition  of  the  local, 
amount  of  money  received  and  on  hand,  the 
standing  of  all  members,  the  number  sus- 
pended, expelled  or  transferred,  and  the  num- 


38  Constitution  of  Local  Branches. 

ber  of  cards  issued;  he  shall  keep  a  book 
containing'  a  true  record  and  description  of 
all  applicants  disqualified  for  membership,  and 
shall  within  twenty-four  hours  following  re- 
jection of  an  applicant  forward  all  facts  he 
may  have  in  the  case  to  the  General  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer; he  shall  remit  in  full  not 
later  than  the  15th  of  the  month,  to  the  Gen- 
eral Secretary-Treasurer,  all  percentages  due 
the  U.  B.  for  the  preceding  month;  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Secretary-Treasurer  of  local 
branches  of  the  U.  B.  upon  sending  money  for 
any  purpose  whatsoever  to  a  sister  local  to 
notify  the  Recording  Secretary  of  the  receiv- 
ing local,  the  amount  of  money  sent  and  for 
what  purpose;  and  shall  perform  such  other 
duties  as  the  Constitution,  By-Laws  and  local 
branch  may  require.  He  shall  furnish  a  good 
and  sufficient  surety  company  bond  of  not 
less  than  $250.00  for  the  faithful  performance 
of  his  duties.  (The  U.  B.  and  the  local  branch 
each  to  pay  half  of  the  premium  of  this 
surety    bond.) 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Marshal 
to  be  at  the  place  of  meeting  promptly  and 
have  the  hall  properly  prepared  for  the  com- 
fort and  convenience  of  members.  He  shall 
take  up  the  password;  shall  prepare  ballots; 
shall  introduce  all  candidates  for  initiation; 
shall  assist  at  the  initiation  as  provided  for 
in  the  ritual,  and  perform  such  other  duties 
as  the  Constitution,  By-Laws  and  the  local 
branch  may  reauire. 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Chaplain 
to  assist  at  initiation,  as  provided  for  in  the 
ritual,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  the 
Constitution,  By-Laws  and  local  branch  may 
require. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Guard 
to  have  charge  of  the  door.  He  shall  admit 
no  one  without  the  password,  unless  ordered 
by  the  President  so  to  do;  he  shall  allow  no 


Constitution  of  Local  Branches.  39 

one  to  retire  without  orders  from  the  Presi- 
dent; and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as 
the  Constitution.  By-Laws  and  the  local 
branch  may  require. 

Sec.  S.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Local 
Organizer  to  secure,  as  near  as  possible,  the 
number  of  men  at  work  in  the  citj%  both 
U.  B.  and  non-U.  B.,  and  the  names  of  the 
houses  employing-  the  largest  number.  He 
shall  keep  a  record  of  the  number  of 
men  asked  to  join  during  the  month,  and 
their  chief  reasons  for  not  doing  so.  He 
shall  secure  the  names  and  addresses  of  lead- 
ing men  in  adjoining  towns  and  cities 
where  no  branch  exists,  and  report  same  to 
the  General  President.  He  shall  each 
month,  on  blank.s  furnished  by  the  U.  B., 
make  a  report  to  the  General  President.  He 
shall,  to  assist  him  in  his  work,  appoint  one 
deputy  organizer  in  each  shop,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  supply  him  with  all  information 
obtainable,  and  to  assist  him  in  every  manner 
possible.  He  shall  perform  such  other  duties 
as  the  Constitution,  By-Laws  and  the  local 
branch  may  require. 

Sec.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Local 
Executive  Board  to  have  supervision  over  the 
affairs  of  the  local  branch.  Shall  examine 
and  approve  all  accounts  against  the  local 
branch,  before  payment  is  made.  Shall  keep 
an  account  of  all  moneys  received  and  ex- 
pended in  totals. 

Shall  examine  all  the  books  and  records  of 
the  Secretary-Treasurer  at  the  end  of  each 
quarter  and  report  to  the  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer  within  thirty  days  thereafter  the 
condition  of  the  funds  and  accounts,  the  num- 
ber of  members  in  good  standing,  number  ini- 
tiated, expelled  or  suspended,  admitted  or 
withdrawn  by  transfer  or  retiring  card  for 
each  month,  together  with  such  other  infor- 
mation as  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
may  deem  necessary^ 


40  Constitution  of  Local  Branches. 

A  majority  of  the  Executive  Board  must  be 
present  at  tlie  examination  of  accounts,  and 
r.o  member  of  the  board  shall  attach  his  sig- 
nature to  a  report  unless  such  member  shall 
have  personally  participated  in  such  exam- 
ination. Should  inaccuracies  appear  in  the 
report  of  Executive  Board,  the  General  Presi- 
dent shall  order  an  investigation,  and  in 
event  of  willful  falsification  by  said  board, 
shall  suspend  such  board  from  office,  together 
with  the  'delinquent  financial  officer,  and  im- 
pose upon  them  a  fine  of  $10.00  each. 

In  the  event  of  the  suspension  of  an  Exec- 
utive Board  an  election  of  their  successors 
shall  be  held  within  one  month  from  the  date 
of  such  suspension.  Expense  of  examination 
of  books  and  records  shall  be  borne  entirely 
by  local  branches.  Local  branches  failing  to 
report  to  the  General  Secretary-Treasurer  as 
required  by  this  section  shall  be  fined  $10.00. 
Sfc.  10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Shop 
Collector  to  visit  each  member  in  the  shop 
every  week  and  collect  dues,  giving  in  return 
therefor  a  stamp,  which  will  be  supplied  by 
the  Local  Secretary-Treasurer.  They  shall, 
at  every  regular  meeting,  turn  over  to  the 
Local  Secretary-Treasurer  all  money  so  col- 
lected, with  a  concise  statement  of  the 
amount  collected  from  each  member,  with 
date,  and  shall  accept  receipt  from  the  Local 
Secretary-Treasurer  therefor.  They  shall  per- 
form such  other  duties  as  the  Constitution, 
By-Laws  and  the  local  branch  may  require. 

Sec.  11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Journal 
Correspondent  to  communicate  each  month 
with  the  editor  of  the  Journal,  and  furnish 
all  news  of  importance  pertaining  to  his  local. 
Sec.  12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  officers 
to  turn  over  to  the  proper  officers  all  books, 
papers,  moneys  or  other  property  in  their 
possession,  belonging  to  the  local  branch  or 
U.  B.  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  office, 
or  at  any  time  when  called  upon  to  do  so. 


Constitution  of  Local  Branches.  41 

Sec.  13.  For  failure  to  faithfully  perform 
any  of  the  duties  as  provided  for  in  Article 
IV,  officers  may  have  charges  preferred 
against  them,  and  upon  conviction  thereof 
may  be  fined,  suspended  or  expelled,  as  the 
local  branch  may  determine. 

ARTICLE  V. 

Membership. 

Section  1.  Any  journeyman  working  at  any 
branch  of  the  trade  shall  be  eligible  to  mem- 
bership. 

Apprentices  shall  be  eligible  to  member- 
ship after  having  worked  at  the  trade  for  a 
period  of  one  year.  The  initiation  fee  shall 
be  one  dollar  ($1.00),  and  the  dues  twenty- 
five  cents  (25c)  per  month.  They  will  be  al- 
lowed a  voice,  but  not  a  vote,  except  on  ques- 
tions of  strikes,  when  they  will  be  entitled 
to  a  voice  and  a  vote.  If  called  out  on  a 
strike  they  shall  receive  three  dollars  ($3.00) 
per  week,  but  shall  receive  no  sick  or  death 
benefits.  After  becoming  competent  as  jour- 
neymen they  shall  be  entitled  to  all  priv- 
ileges and  benefits  without  further  Initiation 
fee. 

Sec.  2.  Application  ^for  membership  must 
be  in  writing,  on  blanks  furnished  by  the 
Local  Secretary-Treasurer,  and  must  state  the 
applicant's  full  name  and  address,  occupation 
and  age.  An  initiation  fee  of  not  less  than 
two  dollars  shall  be  required  from  all  appli- 
cants. 

Sec.  3.  All  applications  shall  be  referred  to 
an  Investigating  Committee,  who  shall  report 
thereon  at  next  meeting,  when  a  rising  vote 
shall  be  taken,  and  if  elected  the  applicant 
may  be  admitted  at  the  same  meeting.  A 
majority  of  all  votes  shall  be  necessary 
to   elect.      If   the   applicant   shall   be   declared 


42  Constitution  of  Local  Branches. 

rejected,  the  fees  accompanying  his  applica- 
tion shall  be  returned  to  him.  and  he  shall  not 
te  eligible  to  apply  for  membership  again  for 
the  space  of  two  months.  Should  an  accepted 
applicant  fail  to  appear  for  initiation  for  the 
space  of  two  months  after  his  election  he 
shall  forfeit  his  initiation  fee,  and  any  fur- 
ther action  taken  shall  be  the  same  as  in  the 
case  of  a  new  applicant. 

Sec.  4.  When  applicant  has  come  from  a 
city  where  a  local  branch  of  the  U.  B.  exists, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary-Treas- 
urer of  the  local  branch  receiving  the  applica- 
tion to  write  the  citj-  from  which  the  appli- 
cant comes  and  make  inquiries  regarding  the 
actions  and  reasons  why  he  did  not  join  the 
U.  B.  before  action  is  taken  on  said  applica- 
tion. 

Sec.  5.  Any  person  of  the  trade  coming 
from  any  local  branch  and  accepting  a  posi- 
tion where  any  other  local  branch  exists  shall 
at  once  deposit  his  book  with  the  Local  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer, who  shall  sign  the  receiving 
transfer  and  at  once  notify  the  Local  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer where  the  brother  last  be- 
longed, on  private  mailing  cards  furnished  by 
headquarters.  All  members  are  required  to 
pay  dues  they  may  owe  to  receiving  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer, such  dues  to  become  the  prop- 
erty of  receiving  local. 

Sec.  6.  That  no  member  of  the  U.  B.,  hav- 
ing a  permanent  position,  be  allowed'  to  work 
at  any  other  trade  without  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  the  union  of  that>  trade,  if  such  exists 
in  his  locality. 

Sec.  7.  Any  leather  worker,  coming  from 
a  city  or  town  where  a  local  exists,  and  hav- 
ing failed  to  become  a  member  of  said  local, 
the  local  to  which  he  presents  his  application 
for  membership  shall  have  the  power  to  make 
the  initiation  fee  of  such  applicant  five  dol- 
lars ($5.00)  more  than  their  regular  initiation. 


Constitution  of  Local  Branches.  43 

ARTICLE  VI. 
Dues. 

Section  1.  The  regular  dues  of  each  mem- 
ber shall  be  thirty  cents  per  week.  Said  dues 
include  subscription  to  the  official  journal. 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  failing  to  pay  dues  for 
a  period  of  four  (4)  weeks  shall  be  in  bad 
standing  and  forfeit  all  claims  to  any  and  all 
benefits  provided  for  by  the  U.  B.  or  local 
branches,  and  if  unpaid  at  the  end  of  eight 
(8)   weeks,  will  be  suspended. 

Sec.  3.  Any  member  having  been  in  bad 
standing,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  benefits  im- 
mediately upon  payment  of  arrears,  but  shall 
be  debarred  from  sick  and  death  benefits  for 
?   period  of  three  months. 

Sec.  4.  Any  member  suspended  from  any 
local  brancli  on  or  after  August  2,  1901,  can  be 
reinstated  upon  payment  of  $3.00  in  addition 
to  the  regular  initiation  fee  of  the  local  to 
which  he  makes  application  for  membership; 
but  he  shall  forfeit  all  previous  rights  and 
benefits  and  be  considered  as  a  new  initiate; 
but  this  shall  not  mean  invalidation  of  any 
fines  or  moneys  he  may  owe. 

Sec.  5.  "When  a  member  is  suspended  the 
second  time,  he  shall  pay  an  initiation  fee  of 
not  less  than  $10.00.*,  The  amount  of  fines 
shall  be  added,  same  to  be  paid  as  the  local 
branch  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  VII. 
Trials. 
Section  1.  Any  officer  or  member  feeling 
aggrieved  by  any  action  of  any  member  or 
officer  of  a  local  branch,  may  prepare  a 
charge  in  writing,  giving  a  plain  statement  of 
the  facts,  the  name  and  addresses  of  wit- 
nesses, if  any  present,  and  give  the  same  to 
the  President,  who  shall  read  the  same  to  the 
local  branch  and  put  the  question:  "Is  the 
charge  of  a  nature  cognizable  by  the  local?" 


44  Constitution  of  Loral  Branches. 

If  decided  in  the  affirmative,  the  President 
shall  appoint  a  committee  of  five  to  try  the 
case. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  com- 
mittee to  meet  within  five  days  from  the  date 
cf  appointment,  summon  witnesses  and  give 
the  accused  not  less  than  three  days'  notice  of 
time,  place  and  object  of  meeting.  They  shall 
then  hear  the  testimony  and  reduce  the  sub- 
stance to  writing  and  report  to  the  local 
1: ranch.  The  accused  shall  have  full  opportu- 
nity for  defense.  If  necessary,  the  committee 
may  adjourn  from  time  to  time  until  the  trial 
ir  concluded.  If  the  committee  report  the 
charge  sustained,  and  the  local  branch  adopts 
the  report,  the  President  shall  put  the  judg- 
ment in  execution.  The  committee  shall,  in 
their  report,  pronounce  judgment  and  state 
the  penalty.  All  penalties  invoked  against 
members,  as  per  action  of  local  or  trial  com- 
mittee, must  be  reported  to  General  President 
and  must  receive  approval  of  Executive  Coun- 
cil before  such  penalty  can  legally  be  col- 
lected. There  shall  be  no  remission  of  the 
penalty,  except  by  majority  vote  of  the  local 
branch.  Such  action  must  receive  approval  of 
the  General  Executive  Council  before  such 
penalty  can  be  legally  removed.  In  case  the 
accused  or  accuser  is  not  satisfied  with  the 
judgment,  appeal  may  be  taken  as  provided 
in  Article  VII,  Section  3,  General  Constitu- 
tion. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Sick  Committee. 
Section  1.  Local  branches  shall  have  the 
right  to  arrange  the  visiting  committee  as 
may  best  suit  their  convenience,  but  in  no 
case  shall  the  sick  committee  consist  of  less 
than  three  members,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  visit  the  sick  at  least  once  in  each  week, 
no  two  members  to  visit  at  the  same  time. 
The  chairman  shall  attend  to  and  pay  all  sick 


Constitution  of  Local  Branches  45 

benefits.  He  shall  draw  on  the  Treasurer  for 
the  amounts  needed,  giving  his  receipt  there- 
for, and  shall  take '  a  receipt  from  persons 
receiving  benefits.  Shall  at  the  end  of  each 
month  make  a  written  report  to  the  local 
branch   of  all   benefits   paid   and   to  w^hom. 

Sec.  2.  The  sick  comnaittee  shall  have  pos- 
itive  proof  before   sick  benefits  are   allowed. 

ARTICLE    IX. 

Special  Meetings. 

Section  1.  The  President  shall  be  empow- 
ered to  call  a  special  meeting  whenever  in 
his  judgment  it  is  necessary. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  written  application  of  five 
members,  stating  object  of  special  ineeting, 
the  President  shall  be  required  to  call  a  spe- 
cial meeting. 

ARTICLE  X. 

3Iiscellaneous. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  mem- 
bers to  be  present  at  all  meetings  of  their 
locals;  to  pay  strict  attention  to  all  its  trans- 
actions; to  faithfully  perform  any  duty  as- 
signed them  by  the  laws  or  bj'-  the  local 
branch;  to  secure  work  for  a  member  of  the 
U.  B.  in  preference  to  one  who  is  not  a  mem- 
ber; to  be  ever  watchful  whereby  a  member 
may  be  benefited;  to  report  all  matters  to  the 
President  which  may  conie  under  his  obser- 
vation that  the  executive  head  of  the  local 
branch  ought  to  know;  to  lose  no  opportunity 
to  teach  the  principles  of  the  U.  B.  to  persons 
who  show  themselves  ignorant  of  the  same, 
and  not  to  work  in  any  shop  within  the  juris- 
diction of  the  local  branch  for  less  wages 
than  may  be  determined  upon  by  the  local. 

Sec.  2.  The  President  shall,  upon  assuming 
the  chair,  appoint  one  person  in  each  shop  to 
be  shop  collector  for  that  shop,  said  shop  col- 
lector  to   be   held   responsible    for   all   stamps 


46  Constitution  of  Local  Branches. 

a,nd  moneys  held  by  him  and  belonging  to  the 
local. 

Sec.  3.  No  member  shall  be  elected  or  ap- 
pointed to  any  office  until  he  has  been  a  mem- 
ber for  three  months,  except  in  cases  where 
local  branches  have  not  been  in  existence  that 
length  of  time. 

See.  4.  Any  officer  or  member  found  guilty 
of  being  derelict  in'  his  duty  shall  suffer  such 
penalty  as  may  be  provided  for,  or  as  the 
local  branch,  in  its  wisdom  and  justice,  may 
direct,  subject  to  an  appeal,  as  provided  in 
Article  VII,  Section  2,  General  Constitution. 

Sec.  5.  The  General  Secretary-Treasurer 
will  furnish  all  locals  with  blank  weekly  re- 
port sheets;  same  to  be  used  by  the  shop  col- 
lector in  making  out  his  weekly  report. 

Sec.  6.  When  a  person  makes  application 
for  membership  in  any  local  branch,  that  the 
Secretary  be  required  to  state  what  line  of 
business  applicant  is  engaged  in.  Due  books 
should  have  for  saddle-maker,  S.  M. ;  for 
harness-maker,  H.  M.;  for  collar-maker.  C. 
M.;  for  gig  saddle-maker,  G.  M. ;  for  machine 
operator,  M.  O. ;  for  cutter,  Ctr. ;  for  horse 
boot-maker,  B.  M.,  in  addition  to  numbers  and 
names. 

Sec.  7.  Team  worK  is  not  to  be  con.strued 
to    mean    stitchers    and    finishers. 

Sec.  8.  All  laws  or  part  of  laws  in  conflict 
with  the  General  or  Local  Constitution  are 
hereby  repealed. 

ARTICLE    XI. 

Amendments. 
Section  1.  Local  branches  shall  have  power 
to  frame  such  By-Laws  as  may  best  suit  their 
convenience,  provided  such  By-Laws  in  no 
wise  conflict  with  the  Constitution  of  the 
U.  B.  or  local  branches. 


INDEX. 

Page 
Preamble 2 

Cou8titution — General. 

Apprentices 2} 

Benefits IS 

Sick 19 

Death 19 

Badges 26 

Cards 13 

Committees 27 

Conventions 'i 

Basis    of    Representation 4 

Railroad  Rates,  etc 4 

Dissolution    of   Branch 23 

Dues 20 

Executive   Council 4 

Fiscal  Year 2:, 

Fines 22 

Membership — Who  Shall  Compose 3 

Miscellaneous 23 

Officers ;"> 

Duties  ol" Ti 

Nomination  and  Election   of 10 

Organization 13 

Power   to    Amend 2  8 

Revenues,    Property,    etc 15 

Resolutions 29 

Salaries 21 

Strikes 16 

Strike  Benefits 16 

Title  and^  Objects 3 

Union  Stamp 26 

Vacancies. 11 

Constitution— Local    Branclies. 

Amendments 4  6 

Dues 4  3 

Duties    of   Officers 36 


48  Inde.i\ 

Elections    and    Installations 36 

Membership 41 

Those  Eligible 41 

Initiation  Fee 41 

Investigating  Committee   41 

Miscellaneous ^ 45 

Officers 35 

Sick  Committee 44 

Shop   Collector.  .    40 

Special  Meetings 45 

Title  and  Objects 35 

Trials,   Offenses,    etc 43 

Vacancies 3  6 


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Label  of  All  Other  Union.^ 


^^ 


"    'i  ■  ,    '-   U 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBR, 


CD^b^377t 


